[Fot] Clutch suggestions?

[Rocky Entriken]

For years I used a stock Spitfire clutch. After I began to upgrade the 
engine, the clutch seemed more stressed, including a couple of clutch disk 
failures -- shedding the facing material entirely and even twisting the 
center right out of the disk (which I did more than once). Obviously 
slipping was not the problem, but other forces were.

An easy fix turned out to be competition clutch disks that were solid in the 
center (not slotted, no springs). The only "problem" was learning to slip 
the clutch intentionally as it would grab immediately -- if revs weren't up 
it'd stall and kill the engine. Tricky driving it back on the trailer, for 
example, but eventually I learned how (or it would wear in enough to become 
easier).

--Rocky Entriken


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barr, Scott" <sbarr at McCarty-Law.com>
To: <fot at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 8:06 AM
Subject: [Fot] Clutch suggestions?


> Since we built my Spitfire in 2003, I've been using the stock clutch and
> pressure plate.  Late last season, Mr. Barker did a head for me.   Since
> then, I've had a little clutch slip.  This is a pretty new clutch plate,
> but the pressure plate is of unknown age - has worked fine to date, but
> everything wears out eventually, right?
>
>
>
> Any thoughts on the cause?  Is it likely the increased torque/HP is just
> overpowering the clutch?  The new motor should be putting out something
> like 110-115HP, based on Mr. Barker's estimate.  Is that beyond what the
> stock clutch can handle?
>
>
>
> Options: (1) buy a new stock pressure plate and clutch disk and see how
> it goes; (2) upgrade to some sort of competition clutch; or (3) get used
> to that nasty clutch smell.  Other options I'm not considering?
>
>
>
> I'd like to stay as close to stock as possible if I need to upgrade.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts on upgrade options?
>
>
>
> Scott B.
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